If Glen Burnie has a shrine to the American cowboy, an untarnished symbol of Western ruggedness and chivalry, it's probably somewhere inside a plain, two-story store at 7347 Ritchie Highway.

For almost 46 years, Carol's Western Wear has been selling genuine Stetson hats, plaid Western-style shirts, big gleaming belt buckles, and of course, handmade cowboy boots.

"I can tell you I have no reason to visit Glen Burnie other than to buy cowboy boots," said Kris Woody, a longtime Carol's customer who lives in Annapolis with her husband, Harold. "No offense to Glen Burnie."

The couple have spent about $6,000 on 30 pairs of...